Beyond Bolac Biodiversity Blueprint Contents Introduction 3 The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group 3 The Committee of Management 4 Stakeholders and Partners 4 Strategic Plan 5 Key Achievements 8 Profile of Catchment 10 The H11 H12 Catchment Health Report – Lake Bolac, Fiery & Salt Creeks 10 Indigenous Cultural Heritage 11 Rivers and Creeks 12 Lakes and Wetlands 13 Salinity 14 Native Flora 15 Native Fauna 20 Pest Plants and Animals 24 Land use 27 Climate Variability 28 Biodiversity Blueprint Overview 29 Why is a blueprint needed? 29 What will the blueprint do? 29 Biodiversity Maps 30 Map 1 The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Area 31 Map 2 Modelled Native Vegetation 2005 Extent 32 Map 3 Native Vegetation Pre 1750 Ecological Vegetation Classes 36 Map 4 Native Vegetation 2005 Ecological Vegetation Classes 40 Map 5 Bioregional Conservation Status 2005 44 Map 6 Threatened Flora and Fauna 2015 48 Map 7 Hydrology 2016 52 Map 8 Index of Stream Condition 2010 56 Map 9 Land Cover 2014 60 Map 10 Cultural Heritage 2016 64 Map 11 Project Achievements 2016 68 Future Challenges 72 Future Project Ideas 74 Monitoring and Evaluation 78 References 79 Appendix 1. 82 1 Introduction The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group (BBCAG) respectfully acknowledges that Indigenous Australians are The protection and enhancement of the natural world The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group intrinsically connected to the continent- including the area now known as Victoria. The H11 and H12 catchment is essential so that future generations can enjoy and area is Djab Wurrung, Watha Wurrung (now known as Wada Wurrung) and Girai Wurrung people country and the reap the rewards of a healthy landscape for many years The story so far… Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Committee pays their respects to Elders both past and present. to come. The natural environment within the H11 & Beyond Bolac is a community group which was H12 sub-catchment is unique, the volcanic origins of established in 2007 to undertake restoration of the Disclaimer the area have created a productive agricultural region Lake Bolac Catchment, including the Fiery Creek which This publication may be of assistance to you, but the Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group does not guarantee containing patches of highly valuable grasslands, grassy flows into Lake Bolac and Salt Creek which flows from that it is without flaws of any kind or is highly appropriate for your purpose. It therefore disclaims all liability for any woodlands, as well as lakes and wetlands which support Lake Bolac to Hexham. Beyond Bolac aims to work with error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on information in this publication. a large variety of native plants and animals. community groups, farmers, industry and government agencies to undertake restoration activities, which Nevertheless this area is under threat from weeds Photo Credits include fencing, revegetation, and pest plant and and vermin, unsustainable farming practices, climate animal control. Bill Sharp, Nolene Fraser, Richard Jamison, David and Ruth Sweatman, Gary Peterson, Jileena Cole, Beth Mellick change, pollution, erosion and salinity just to name a few. Agriculture in particular has altered the landscape, It all started in 2004, when a meeting was called by replacing large areas of native vegetation with different concerned community members from the Lake Bolac vegetation communities including introduced pastures, Land Care Group and Michelle Calvert from Glenelg crops and shelterbelt plantings. These introduced Hopkins CMA. The meeting was held in Lake Bolac and species have radically altered the appearance of the included government department representatives, Glenelg Hopkins CMA officers, and local residents. The landscape, as well as the biodiversity. However, the natural and increased fertility of the soils and generally aim of the meeting was to discuss the drying of and consistent rainfall has provided favourable conditions future management of Lake Bolac. Other concerns for a vigorous living environment; many native species raised included control of salinity, future flooding have been able to adapt to these changed landscapes and waterways management of the catchment. The and continue to survive (Weatherly 2016) in some areas. major concern at the time was to discuss some means of controlling the overflow of the Lake to assist in The dedication of the Beyond Bolac Catchment Action salinity management. The GHCMA and its Waterways Group has been continuous since it began 2004, as an Implementation Committee, together with local initiative of Lake Bolac Land Protection Council (Lake residents, inspected the Lake and catchment to help Bolac Landcare Group), when locals realised that unless decide on actions to address these issues. collaborative action was taken, this precious natural environment would be lost. The GHCMA produced the ‘H11 & H12 Catchment Health Report, Lake Bolac, Fiery Creek and Salt Creeks’. This Biodiversity Blueprint tells the story of the Beyond The aim of the report was to review existing information Bolac Catchment Action Group and the H11 & H12 on assets, current condition, threats, management sub-catchment. This document will be used by BBCAG The development and production of this document has been funded by The Norman Wettenhall Foundation (soon options and information gaps. A Standing Committee to plan and implement vital projects throughout the to be renamed Wettenhall Environment Trust) under their Landscape Restoration Program. The Beyond Bolac Catch- of local residents and government representatives catchment in collaboration with community member’s ment Action Group wishes to thank the Foundation for their support and financial assistance, and looks forward to was appointed by the GHCMA, and this group stayed and stakeholders to restore the beauty and biodiversity working with them into the future. together long after the report’s production to form a of the landscape for posterity. grassroots community group – the H11-H12 Catchment This document and associated GIS mapping was composed by Jileena Cole under the guidance of the Beyond Action Group. In 2010 the group decided to change Bolac Catchment Action Group. their name to ‘Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group’ Jileena Cole to assist with communications, as the name would signify a connection to the wider catchment area. GDip AppSc Cons & Ecology, BA EnvSc EnvMgt, GCert Env & Planning [email protected] 2 3 Insert photo- current group BBCAG committee Strategic Plan The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group vision is for a biodiverse, productive, resilient and safe catchment supporting vibrant communities and land managers Bill Sharp and Bill Weatherly at the Eel Festival The aim of the group is The Committee of Management Stakeholders and Partners The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group nominally The Beyond Bolac CAG works closely with a number To engage, enable and assist land managers to implement projects to improve comprises around 20 committee members, made up of organisations, including corporate, private and biodiversity in a productive, healthy landscape of local landholders, industry groups, environment philanthropic; government agencies and community groups and government agency representatives as well groups across the Catchment. as the Executive Director of The Norman Wettenhall Key partners include: Foundation. The committee is not a closed committee Since its inception, Beyond Bolac CAG has been working The priority issues the Beyond Bolac CAG have been and welcomes any person with an interest in natural • The Norman Wettenhall Foundation towards implementing the recommendations from the tackling across the catchment include resource management and or catchment issues to • Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority H11 & H12 Catchment health report, these are outlined attend meetings which are held bi-monthly. • Landcare Victoria • Waterway health, erosion, sedimentation and below: • Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group financial pollution The committee has a core executive group who meet • To optimise flows in the Fiery and Salt Creeks members • Sustainable land use and productivity regularly with the appointed facilitator to address issues • Identify salinity sources in the catchment and take as they arise, outcomes of these meetings are then • Reduced flows throughout waterways and into The group is strongly supported by: remedial action communicated to other committee members on an as Lake Bolac and surrounding wetlands • Victorian State Government, Department of • Undertake salt and water budgets leading to a needs basis. On occasion, sub-committees have been • Wetland development and management Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) water management plan formed to address specific issues, outcomes of these • Australian Government, Department of • Protection and enhancement of native vegetation, sub-committee meetings are then communicated to • Conduct further research into water quality, stream Environment in particular riparian vegetation other committee members at the regular bi-monthly flow and salinity • Lake Bolac Development Committee • Biodiversity conservation meetings. Government agency staff are always invited • Hold Community workshops to convey the findings • Ground water extraction to committee meetings, however when specific issues • Upper Hopkins Land Management Group of the report • Pest plant and animal management arise the relevant government agency representative is • Lake Bolac Foreshore